'Supermoon' draws out moonwatchers

The biggest and brightest full moon of the year, the so-called supermoon, appeared 14 percent larger than normal early Sunday as our celestial neighbor swung closer to Earth.

June 23, 2013 9:32 AM

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The moon, a "supermoon", rises over the Capitol dome in Washington, Saturday, March 19, 2011. Scientists estimate the "supermoon" rising in the east at sunset will appear 14 percent bigger and 30 percent brighter at its peak. Full moons vary in size because of the oval shape of its orbit, with one end closer to Earth. On Saturday, the moon will be 221,565 miles away, the closest to Earth since March 1993. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen) less

The moon, a "supermoon", rises over the Capitol dome in Washington, Saturday, March 19, 2011. Scientists estimate the "supermoon" rising in the east at sunset will appear 14 percent bigger and 30 percent ... more

A full moon rises behind the Jefferson Memorial in Washington Saturday, June 22, 2013. The larger than normal moon called the "Supermoon" happens only once this year as the moon on its elliptical orbit is at its closest point to earth. (AP Photo/J. David Ake) less

A full moon rises behind the Jefferson Memorial in Washington Saturday, June 22, 2013. The larger than normal moon called the "Supermoon" happens only once this year as the moon on its elliptical orbit is at ... more

The "supermoon" appears behind a steeple with crosses of an Orthodox church in the town of Novogrudok, 150 km (93 miles) west of Minsk, Belarus, late Saturday, May 5, 2012. The moon was the closest it will get to the Earth this year _ and appeared 14 percent larger because of that. At its peak it was about 221,802 miles from Earth. less

The "supermoon" appears behind a steeple with crosses of an Orthodox church in the town of Novogrudok, 150 km (93 miles) west of Minsk, Belarus, late Saturday, May 5, 2012. The moon was the closest it will get ... more

A statue of an angel fixed at the St. Isaak's Cathedral is silhouetted by the rising moon in St.Petersburg, Russia, Friday, March 18, 2011. The world will see a supermoon on March 19, and the full moon will make the sight even more interesting. The moon will pass the Earth at the distance of 365,600 kilometers, the closest in the past 19 years. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky) less

A statue of an angel fixed at the St. Isaak's Cathedral is silhouetted by the rising moon in St.Petersburg, Russia, Friday, March 18, 2011. The world will see a supermoon on March 19, and the full moon will ... more

Photo: Dmitry Lovetsky, STF

A statue of an angel fixed at the St. Isaak's Cathedral is... Photo-2898908.65071 - Beaumont Enterprise

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The full moon rises behind statues of angels fixed at the St. Isaak's Cathedral in St.Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, May 5, 2012. Saturday's event is a "supermoon," the closest and therefore the biggest and brightest full moon of the year. less

The full moon rises behind statues of angels fixed at the St. Isaak's Cathedral in St.Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, May 5, 2012. Saturday's event is a "supermoon," the closest and therefore the biggest and ... more

Photo: Dmitry Lovetsky, AP

The full moon rises behind statues of angels fixed at the St.... Photo-2907060.65071 - Beaumont Enterprise

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A great blue heron sits atop the nest as the moon rises in the eastern sky over Daytona Beach, Fl. Friday, March 18, 2011.

A great blue heron sits atop the nest as the moon rises in the eastern sky over Daytona Beach, Fl. Friday, March 18, 2011.

Photo: Nigel Cook, Daytona Beach News-Journal

A great blue heron sits atop the nest as the moon rises in the... Photo-1907517.65071 - Beaumont Enterprise

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A "supermoon" sets behind the Mare shanty town complex in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, May 6, 2012. A supermoon is the coincidence of a full moon (or a new moon) with the closest approach the moon makes to the Earth. less

A "supermoon" sets behind the Mare shanty town complex in Rio de Janeiro, Sunday, May 6, 2012. A supermoon is the coincidence of a full moon (or a new moon) with the closest approach the moon makes to the ... more

A "supermoon" appears above the temporarily closed Hotel Pere Marquette on Saturday, May 5, 2012, in Peoria, Ill. This "supermoon" is the closest moon of the year, coming within 221, 802 miles from Earth. (AP Photo/Journal Star, Adam Gerik) MANDATORY CREDIT less

A "supermoon" appears above the temporarily closed Hotel Pere Marquette on Saturday, May 5, 2012, in Peoria, Ill. This "supermoon" is the closest moon of the year, coming within 221, 802 miles from Earth. (AP ... more

The full moon rises behind Statue of Liberty replica atop of a hotel in Kosovo's capital Pristina on Saturday, May 5, 2012. On Saturday, the moon will be a "supermoon" or perigee moon as the moon is at it's closest approach to the earth. less

The full moon rises behind Statue of Liberty replica atop of a hotel in Kosovo's capital Pristina on Saturday, May 5, 2012. On Saturday, the moon will be a "supermoon" or perigee moon as the moon is at it's ... more

A supermoon lights up Waikiki and Diamond Head Saturday, May 5, 2012, in Honolulu. A "supermoon" event happens when the moon is closest to the earth therefore the biggest and brightest full moon of the year.

A supermoon lights up Waikiki and Diamond Head Saturday, May 5, 2012, in Honolulu. A "supermoon" event happens when the moon is closest to the earth therefore the biggest and brightest full moon of the year.

Photo: Eugene Tanner, AP

A supermoon lights up Waikiki and Diamond Head Saturday, May 5,... Photo-2907152.65071 - Beaumont Enterprise

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A Reddit love letter told us: "So I’m moving from Seattle to Washington D.C. tomorrow. I’ve lived here since 2003 and this city has wormed its way into my heart to become my favorite city in America."

The moon rises behind the Tennessee state capitol on Saturday, June 22, 2013, in Nashville, Tenn. The biggest and brightest full moon of the year, called a supermoon, happens as the moon passes closer to earth than usual. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) less

The moon rises behind the Tennessee state capitol on Saturday, June 22, 2013, in Nashville, Tenn. The biggest and brightest full moon of the year, called a supermoon, happens as the moon passes closer to earth ... more

Time lapse photos show Supermoon over New York skyline Item-20075.65071 - Beaumont Enterprise

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PALM SPRINGS, CA - MAY 5: A perigee moon, or supermoon, rises behind wind turbines on May 5, 2012 near Palm Springs, California. The moon appears especially big and bright during this once-a-year cosmic event as the full moon is at its closest to the Earth in its elliptical orbit. The perigee side of its orbit is about 31,000 miles closer than the opposite, or apogee, side. The bright light of the full moon also hides all but the brightest meteors of the Eta Aquarid meteor shower, the remnant debris trail of Halley's Comet. less

The moon is seen in its waxing gibbous stage as it rises over Lower Manhattan, including One World Trade Center, center, seen from The Heights neighborhood of Jersey City, N.J., Saturday, June 22, 2013. The moon, which will reach its full stage on Sunday, is expected to be seen 13.5 percent larger than usual during a phenomenon known as supermoon. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) less

The moon is seen in its waxing gibbous stage as it rises over Lower Manhattan, including One World Trade Center, center, seen from The Heights neighborhood of Jersey City, N.J., Saturday, June 22, 2013. The ... more

Photo: Julio Cortez, Associated Press

The moon is seen in its waxing gibbous stage as it rises over Lower... Photo-4825422.65071 - Beaumont Enterprise

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The largest and brightest full moon of 2013 will light up the sky this weekend when it passes the closest point to the Earth in its elliptical orbit.

Media: San Francisco Chronicle

The largest and brightest full moon of 2013 will light up the sky... Media-77091.65071 - Beaumont Enterprise

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A palm tree foregraounds Super Moon in Los Angeles,California on May 05, 2012. Tonight's moon is set to appear 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter from our perspective on Earth. The Supermoon lines up much closely with perigee -- the moon's closest point to Earth. The 2012 May full moon falls some six minutes after perigee, the moon's closest point to Earth for this month. At perigee, the moon lies only 221,802 miles (356,955 kilometers ) away. Later this month, on May 19, the moon will swing out to apogee -- its farthest point for the month -- at 252,555 miles (406,448 kilometers) distant. AFP PHOTO /JOE KLAMAR (Photo credit should read JOE KLAMAR/AFP/GettyImages) less

A palm tree foregraounds Super Moon in Los Angeles,California on May 05, 2012. Tonight's moon is set to appear 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter from our perspective on Earth. The Supermoon lines up ... more

The Supermoon is seen in Bulverde, about 35 minutes after moonrise on June 22, 2013.

The Supermoon is seen in Bulverde, about 35 minutes after moonrise on June 22, 2013.

Photo: Bill Sprole, Courtesy Photo

The Supermoon is seen in Bulverde, about 35 minutes after moonrise... Photo-4825296.65071 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Skywatchers are in for a treat this weekend, with one of the biggest celestial events of the year: a supermoon.

Media: San Francisco Chronicle

Skywatchers are in for a treat this weekend, with one of the... Media-77052.65071 - Beaumont Enterprise

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A rose bush foregraounds Super Moon in Los Angeles,California on May 05, 2012. Tonight's moon is set to appear 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter from our perspective on Earth. The Supermoon lines up much closely with perigee -- the moon's closest point to Earth. The 2012 May full moon falls some six minutes after perigee, the moon's closest point to Earth for this month. At perigee, the moon lies only 221,802 miles (356,955 kilometers ) away. Later this month, on May 19, the moon will swing out to apogee -- its farthest point for the month -- at 252,555 miles (406,448 kilometers) distant. AFP PHOTO /JOE KLAMAR (Photo credit should read JOE KLAMAR/AFP/GettyImages) less

A rose bush foregraounds Super Moon in Los Angeles,California on May 05, 2012. Tonight's moon is set to appear 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter from our perspective on Earth. The Supermoon lines up ... more

The moon rises over Cultus Mountain Saturday evening May 5, 2012 in this view from Sunset Road near Chuckanut Drive in Skagit County, WA. The moon passed closer to earth than usual, appearing large as it rose over the horizon. less

The moon rises over Cultus Mountain Saturday evening May 5, 2012 in this view from Sunset Road near Chuckanut Drive in Skagit County, WA. The moon passed closer to earth than usual, appearing large as it rose ... more

A 'super moon' rises over the Cascade Mountains on Saturday, March 19, 2011 in Seattle. The super moon happens when a full moon coincides with the perigee in the Moon's elliptical orbit. The Moon is closer to the Earth and appears bigger than normal. less

A 'super moon' rises over the Cascade Mountains on Saturday, March 19, 2011 in Seattle. The super moon happens when a full moon coincides with the perigee in the Moon's elliptical orbit. The Moon is closer to ... more